Story Time!

"I have Hay Fever. So, could people please stop wearing perfumes?

-Beth xx"

An email from a lady at work, to every one else in the office.

This reminded me of the story I had mentioned in one of my earlier posts -the one about 'your freedom ends where my nose begins'. I had committed to narrating the story one day and this email proved to be a perfect excuse!

The story in mention was read many many years ago, so apart from the gist, I don't remember anything else!! I have attempted to reconstruct the story below. So, if you do get your hands on the original and the one below looks as similar to it as a raven to a peacock, please don't say that I didn't warn you!

~~ It was a bright and beautiful morning. The sun gloriously poured its beams down, the birds chirped merrily hopping from the sycamore to the cedar. The flowers swayed in easy abandon and children gaily skipped,faces aglow. But that morning's enthusiasm paled in comparison to the countenance of a certain Mr.Gyles. With his sunday best on his back, the favorite hat on his jolly head and his faithful companion - a 1932, hand-stitched St.Michael's, black umbrella twirling in the air. He was the perfect picture of health and happiness! His smart, shining shoes clicked away in a cheerful rhythm, pleasing all who passed, as did the merry tune his smiling lips were humming. Mr.Gyles was a free man now. Free to do whatever pleased him, free to pursue his long cherished dream of finishing that novel he had been writing for years, free to now spend every evening in the company of like minded gentlemen at The Crosskeys, the little town's favorite watering hole.

Today was the first day of Mr.Gyles well earned retirement. After forty years at the Council, he had done well for himself. Growing slowly and steadily up the ranks, he now had a handsome amount saved and a pleasant pension to fund his necessities and even his extravagances! "I am a happy and free man" he thought! And why not?! With all his children well settled, a life well lived with his beloved wife (RIP) and a position as the Deputy Chairman of The Poker and Other Enjoyable Events Association, he had every right to have that spring in his step and that song on his lips.

"I am a happy man, I can do as I please. I'll buy a Japanese fan, or even climb those trees!" sang Mr.Gyles, his umbrella swinging happily in response to the melody. As Mr.Gyles soaked in the sunshine and let it beam through his smile, he scarcely noticed the frown on Mr.Callan's face.

Mr.Callan was teacher. He taught physics at the local St.Edin's Grammar School for Boys. He was feared to the point of reverence and was a respected figure among the weary parents of all those boys. He however, was also feared to the point of dislike by every one else. His tongue was acerbic and could spurn nasty retorts told with the coldness and calmness of a dead fish. Those who met him, said hello while their eyes darted for the nearest exit. To see a frown on Mr.Callan's face was not considered a happy event.

Mr.Gyles continued his jolly stride, with his pride of an umbrella faithfully oscillating beside him. He did not hear the 'tch tch', he did not hear the cough cough. His sparkling eyes however noticed a form, very similar in appearance to the dreaded Mr.Callan brush past him and stop right before him. Even though this would have had the heart beats of Mr.Gyles racing in no time, today was not one of those days! He gave Mr.Callan one of his most endearing smiles and enquired after the missus and the school. "You seem a happy man today, Mr.Gyles" said Mr.C. "Oh yes! You see Mr.Callan, I have retired as of today! I am a free man now! I have all the freedom in the world to do whatever I want. I have the freedom to run, to skip, to jump, to sit to do anything at all, yessir!"

An eyebrow belonging to Mr.C raised itself dangerously close to his hairline. "Ahem. So, is that joyful event, the cause of your overtly animated umbrella then, Mr.Gyles?" It was the right question, but it involved the wrong prop. Mr.Gyles' umbrella was not only hand-stitched and unique and presented to him by the very industrious Mr.Mark of St.Michaels, but also, it was the umbrella that had allowed Mr.Gyles to so chivalrously court Mrs.Gyles on a rainy evening. It had sentimental value.

Not a little annoyed with Mr.C's interrogation, Mr.Gyles, smile slipping away at the corners, looked at Mr.Callan's intimidating apperance and said, "Its my day, my life AND my umbrella Mr.Callan. I am a free man and I have the freedom to do as I please."
"Even to swing your umbrella wheresoever you will, with no emotion or consideration for who walks before or behind you, Mr.Gyles?" The smile now completely gone, cheeks a little flushed, Mr.Gyles supressed an urge to pluck out that raised eyebrow and said "Yessir, Mr.Callan. I can do as I please. This is a free country and it gives me sovereign freedom to swing my umbrella wheresoever I please and howsoever I please." With a sarcastic snort, Mr.Callan lifted the umbrella from the ground, with its silver pointed end towards him, brought it near his face and said, "Mr.Gyles, you might be a free man and I congratulate you on that. But remember, your freedom ends, where my nose begins." So saying, he dropped the umbrella and walked away into the crowd.

It was a fuming (but humbled) Mr.Gyles that The Crosskeys saw enter that evening. For after the sour episode with Mr.C, Mr. Gyles feeling like a reprimanded adolescent continued twirling his umbrella with all the more vigour just to prove to himself that the stupid Mr.C with his 'your freedom' and 'my nose' was nothing but a frustrated school teacher. But when he knocked the glasses off Mrs. O'Neill and almost poked her in the eye with his umbrella, he grudgingly saw the light (after paying damages to Mrs.O'Neill and offering a thousand apologies, of course).

The umbrella still oscillates beside Mr.Gyles. But he is careful it doesnt go anywhere near where anyone else's nose begins! ~~

Flying Jesus

It was a balmy beautiful night. The sea breeze, salty and comforting, found paths through my hair. It tickled, it caressed. Beside me was mommy, cotton clad, serious faced. In front of me, many rows away, was the priest. Face lighted from below (the candle on the altar), scary! The place was Pondicherry, the location was the makeshift altar of the Pondicherry cathedral since, the original one, inside the church was being renovated like the rest of it.

To say that I was bored, would be an understatement. It was a Tamil mass and I was the English-speaking 'Cluny Convent' girl! Twice my mother had stopped me from making faces at the people behind me and once, she had to physically stop me from performing a few Bharatnatyam steps which seemed apt for the tunes belted out by the choir that night!

So, when mom cajoled me to keep the palms of my hands together, throughout the mass, like I was saying a permanent 'vanakkam', I exasperatedly asked her what all this drama was about and why there were streamers all over the place? That's when mom said, 'Its Easter tonight!'

Eat-her...East-her..Eas-ter. What was that?!?!?!?!?! (mommy)

If I were at home, I would have either gotten spanked for being a pain or would have been the poor audience of an hour long lecture on the origin and meaning of the word! But, thank heavens, I was in the outdoor church! Anyways, mom got a brainwave. She said, 'Oh, today is Jesus' Resurrection day' pregnant pause 'he is going to heaven tonight!'

For a six year old, I think my reaction was pretty mature. I just held my dropped jaw in place, stared at my mom real hard, tried not to let my voice tremble, while I mustered an awe struck 'REALLLLLLLLLYYYYYYYY?????!!!' And that night, while the whole church stood, sat, knelt, sat, stood, knelt in that and other order, I sat, with the back of my head, touching the base of my neck, waiting to see Jesus, clad in white, beard et al, holding a cross in his right hand and waving to me with his left!!

Needless to say, I was one disappointed child that Easter night, suddenly doubting if mom's theory about eating lots of lady's finger making me get first rank in Maths was as valid as Flying Jesus!!!

This Easter, however, this girl ain't looking for Jesus flying in the sky!! Because, she knows that God ain't 'out there', he's 'in here!'! And she also knows that, all she needs to do is look into the eyes of a baby, the splendor of a morning, the beauty of a rose, the love of a loved one, the forgiveness of a wrong and she'll find God right there!!

Happy Easter everyone!!

Words Worth

She doesn't know I am blogging about her! But she is just an arm's length away from me! She says she is watching Pride and Prejudice, but I know by instinct, that its Mr.Darcy she is after! I met her face to face after three years, though, when I saw her in the railway station it was like, meeting her in the recess after third period!

Daffy (Daffodil) and I became friends on the evening of the day, we both were going to be alone, away from our families for the first time in our lives, starting the super scary, super jolly college life. It struck me quite strong, to think that we've been friends for eight years now.

Eight years ago, on a similar night, we shared a similar room. She snored away to glory, while I slept the disturbed sleep of one haunted. I had a gut feeling that she would turn into a bat in the middle of the night!! And last night, we talked so much, throughout the night, that we went to bed at daybreak! No bat-turning-genius that girl!

College began, life went on. Ups, downs. We (she, me, Az, Gaay) even formed a band!! We called ourselves, The Rhythmic Technos!! I blush now. But then, we were fiercely proud of our acoustic and musical skills! She played the guitar, Az the harmonica, Gaay and I crooned!


It is said that it takes four years to form a friendship and then its for life. I am grateful for this girl who is staring at Mr.Darcy right now, who says she wants to learn how to cook from me...ME!! And when I do teach her, she ooohs and aaahs and says, Ash, kalakitta!!

As Elizabeth says, "I love you" to Mr. Darcy and I steal a look to see if her eyes are welling with tears, I ask her, "Do you like Mr. Darcy?" and she turns around, eyes aglow, face bright,(the light from the laptop!) all thirty two visible and gives me an affirmative nod!!

There are some people who just dont have to 'act their age' with you or you with them!!

....Love!

How long does it take to love somebody?
A minute or a year?
From the start to the finish
But does it really have a beginning or an end?

How long does it take to know you've reached the depths?
Of the soul, of the mind and find yours in theirs?
Or did the universe create, yours and theirs, entwined?
Always?

How long does it take to realize?
The ache, the pain are the same as the ecstacy and joy?
Each a part of the other,
Today, tomorrow, forever.

How long does it take to know?
That to truly love is to let go?
To stand at the edge of insanity,
The threshold of lunacy.
Not knowing if they'll return,
If they were meant to be.

A moment.
The moment.
Thats all it takes.

Eternity.
Forever.
Thats what it takes.

Love, sweet love.


I tried hard not to be cliched and post this today...!! But the intoxication of red roses and the high from the chocolates got me all dizzy and poetic!!

Thank you darling!! Grateful for you, to you.

glllbbbbllllbbb........hold on, my mouth is full!!!!

Why women? Why food? Why emotional cravings? Why carbs? Why a-moment-on-the-lips-forever-on-the-hips?

Why me?

Ok, this needs a little background.

I am the first born daughter. My family believed that I had to be fed well. And 'well' meant - pour oodles of ghee in everything I ate, make sure I ate, like all the time, I got whatever my greedy toddler eyes would stare at. Of course, I stuffed my face, was in the pink of health, managed to hide the saturates somewhere in the secret depths! But miracles like fat-hiding only last so long. Because, one fine morning (well, not exactly, but you get the idea!)came the time for 'all that was hidden to be exposed'.

Adolescence.

And suddenly, without warning, cruelly, I was 'FAT'. The miracle had ended, the fact was, that the fat, began to surface.

Attitude, for the most part of my life, didnt let the 'fat' thing affect me. I was brimming with confidence, had the perfect retorts for the 'did you break the scales' comments (though, I would be really depressed and eat more..hehe!) had dialogues like 'This-is-the-way-I-am-like-it-good-for-you-dont-like-it-good-for-me' (though, I distinctly remember praying fervently, for God to make me slim, ASAP!!)

Anyways, after many many years of peer stigma and buckled self esteem, I decided to do something about it(if only to fit into the really awesome clothes that were never my size!!) and started aerobics! It was awesome! Early morning, scooty ride, mixed aerobics, sweating, stamina building..wow! Was nice!

But, you cant really teach an old dog, well, me in this case, new tricks! I would excercise with my body, mind and soul, but never ever got around to calorie cutting! Calories, eating smart, not snacking, were words that sounded like, blah blah, blooh blooh and bleeh bleeh to my fattened ears!

And then, one fine day (this time, really!) whilst on one of my routine visits to the doc, I got a jolt out of the blue categorising me as someone who had the risk of some crappy old age illnesses before the age of 35. And boy! Did that switch a light on in my head!!

For the first time in my life, I actually couldnt take health for granted. It was a very humbling feeling. The world is changing. The young are actually old. Brrr...scary. Anyways, after that enlightening day with the doc, I was all niravana-ed. Read up loads and loads about food, eating habits, changing lifestyle. It was difficult in the beginning, but now, I have embraced those changes and have even gotten used to them. And seriously (this is for those just venturing this narrow path!!!) IT WORKS!!!

However, this post, is not a brag about how I dont add sugar to my coffee or how I pick up only low cal, non fat food from the super market. This is actually about the 'slip'.

Every once in a while, the 'slip' happens and reminds me of the fact that I am a human being!! Its sort of, a practice session for my will power (which most of the 'slip' times, is running extrememly weak!) So, right in the beginning of the week, I gorged, binged and then binged some more!! For those who actually have (still) go through this, you know what I am talking about!! That helpless gut feeling (excuse the pun!!), that guilt, that anger. Oh well!! Just waged one of those battles today!!

But thank God for gyan giving, because yesterday, I had very wisely (halo around my head) told a friend (who is a fellow soldier in this war) - Remember, (blah blah blah for a long time) and..most importantly, when you slip ITS OKKKKKK!!!!!


So when I began my obvious, expected, rant and rave, she threw it right back at me..!! hehe!! Sort of shut me up! Now, THIS is why I dont believe in New Year resolutions!!! Its situations like these which remind me, that every moment, is another chance for another chance!!

So, Tuesday, here I come, with a renewed will power, stronger sense of purpose and some extra calories to burn!!






p.s: Gayathri, thanks for that nudge (comment -previous post)!! Sort of made this post happen!! Oh sweet sisterhood!

Here we are again!

Happens every year end, this. I sit and wonder, how in the world can one year go by so quickly! And every year is the same. A hearty mixture of laughter and joy and a dash of tears and sorrows. But isnt that the very essence of life? Balance. If not one, then no appreciation for the other.
So many wonderful things happened this year! Unexpected, expected.I learnt that if I wanted to be happy and be filled with joy, I only had to give the same. Wasnt easy, but possible. I learnt that even friendship needs all the ingredients of a relationship - unconditional love, forgiveness and turning a blind eye to faults, but most of all the ability to forget. Again, not easy, but not impossible.
This year taught me, that where there is a will (and lots of love!) there is a way. Even over the Atlantic Ocean! That the embrace of a beloved is worth more than anything else in the world. That a sunset watched with my hand in that of a loved one surpasses even the glory of that dusk! That love is what makes the ride, the journey, call it what you will, worthwhile.
After twenty four years of lousy eating habits, this year, I have finally attained a health conscious consciousness! I count calories in what I eat!! I get off two stops early and walk home! Of course I have the occasional pizza and chips and chocolate, but moderation has a whole new meaning in my list of big words now!
I thought it was impossible, but even this year, I discovered many things about myself. Some quite cool, some not. For me personally, the biggest victory of the year was to accept change. The only constant. And the one thing that we are genetically, emotionally, physically most resistant to. I learnt to align myself to Divine Will. And that makes all the difference.

I know next year will bring greater joys and similar trials. I also know that just like this year, I will face them all next year too!!

I wish you all a wonderful new year!! New year, new challenges, new joys!!

And more blogs!!



God bless!
Ashika

The core of the matter

Many days ago, I saw a woman eat an apple. She bit into that shiny red round miracle and that oh so perfect scrunch, crunch- ripe, yet not yet there, reached my ears, which were, to the dismay of my hungry stomach, placed diagonally beside her. So the pretty (also hungry, I would assume as she was lunatically gorging that apple in an extremely crowded bus) lady bit and gobbled and swallowed. But a small apple lasts only for so long, you see, so in no time at all the apple was over and done with. As per me. Because, where in the world does anyone ever eat the apple 'completely', seeds, stalk and core?

Right there, in front of my eyes.

The lady wouldn't stop with the fresh, edible-y hard part of the apple. She went on to the amazement of me and my roommate, to chew on the core, the seeds and the stalk. We both were giggling and passing comments (as would have any other Indian, ok ok, Tamil girls).

Oh, the curse of being a 'judge'-er of others!

A few days later, happy me, in possession of a similar red miracle, warming a window seat in a similarly crowded bus, similarly gobbled on the apple. Now, I am an ordinary girl, with ordinary eating habits (licking fingers is ordinary)so when I was stuck with a wet-with-the-natural-goodness-of-simple sucrose combined with my saliva - apple core (and about 30 minutes of journey left) I did what you are guessing I did. In went the seeds, the core and the stalk! haha!

And you know what, except for the weird tasting seeds and the slightly bitter stalk, the core wasn't too bad you know.

So just because I don't do it, doesn't mean its wrong. Lesson learnt!